18 August 2025, marked a significant day for the Eastern Mediterranean Region as distinguished colleagues, ladies, and gentlemen gathered for the 24th intercountry meeting of poliovirus laboratory directors. The venue, hosted by the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, brought together some of the most brilliant minds in the field of polio eradication.
As we look back at our journey, the progress made towards polio eradication in the region is a testament to the precision, dedication, and collaboration of this laboratory network. Your tireless efforts have played a crucial role in timely detection, effective outbreak response, and ultimately, the eradication of polio.
On behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our hosts and Dr. Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative in Jordan, for her remarkable leadership and unwavering support. We are grateful for the hospitality and environment that Jordan has provided for this important meeting.
Despite facing persistent challenges, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries in our region where wild poliovirus type 1 still circulates. However, I am pleased to inform you that we have seen a decline in cases in 2025, which gives us a critical window of opportunity to stop transmission within the next 6-12 months.
Additionally, we have also been responding to outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Djibouti, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Thanks to our swift response and sensitive surveillance, earlier outbreaks in Egypt and Sudan were successfully contained.
As we move closer to eradicating polio and achieving the eventual certification, the quality of surveillance and laboratory performance is of utmost importance. I applaud your continued efforts in meeting the targets of the Global Poliovirus Surveillance Action Plan, especially in terms of the timeliness of poliovirus detection.
I am pleased to announce that environmental surveillance is now operational in 17 of the Region’s 22 Member States and is being planned for rollout in Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. This is a significant achievement and will play a crucial role in detecting the virus in areas with limited access to health facilities.
Furthermore, I am proud to mention that all polio laboratories in the region remain WHO-accredited. This is a reflection of your professionalism and unwavering commitment to the cause of polio eradication. Your diligent work has not gone unnoticed, and we are confident that with your continued efforts, we will soon achieve a polio-free region.
Cross-regional collaboration has been a cornerstone of our success in the fight against polio. By sharing expertise, resources, and best practices, we have been able to strengthen our efforts and progress towards our common goal. I urge you to continue this collaboration and work together towards the final push to eradicate polio.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication and hard work. Together, we have made remarkable progress towards polio eradication in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and with our collective efforts, we will achieve our ultimate goal of a polio-free world. Let us use this meeting to further strengthen our efforts and make a lasting impact in the fight against polio. Thank you.
